Chapter 228: He Is Approaching Her
Chapter 228: Chapter 228: He Is Approaching Her
Previously, Nan Yi hadn’t thought going to school was such a difficult thing.
To him, going to school meant being separated from his mother, which made it a terrible thing.
But in the eyes of the boy named Xiao Hu, school was a chance to change their fate—wings that would help them leave the mountains.
So, they cherished and were grateful for the opportunity to learn, feeling happy just to be at school every day.
This atmosphere had, without a doubt, influenced Nan Yi.
This was a result that not even Nan Zhi had anticipated.
For a moment, she had so much she wanted to say but didn’t know where to begin.
So she could only stroke the top of Nan Yi’s head and praise him:
"Yiyi, you have the right idea. Mama is so happy you’ve realized this."
Nan Yi was a little bashful at first.
But hearing Nan Zhi’s praise, he couldn’t help but break into a small smile.
He solemnly promised Nan Zhi:
"Mama, I will work very, very hard. I won’t let you down!"
"Mm, Mama believes in you."
Her smile was like a flowing spring river, and a world of blossoming flowers seemed to bloom in the moment she lowered her gaze.
That casual smile suddenly filled the vision of the man driving up the road. His heart gave a heavy thump. His hand on the steering wheel tightened, the tendons on the back standing out.
He slowly pressed the brake, slowing the car until he stopped on the side of the road by the jujube tree.
As the window rolled down, his eyes met Nan Zhi’s from inside the car.
Nan Zhi didn’t seem surprised by his appearance:
"You’re here."
Lu Shixu didn’t detect much resistance in her tone. The tension that had gripped him on the way here eased slightly, and he hummed in response.
He turned off the engine and got out. The closer he moved toward Nan Zhi, the more he could smell her delicate fragrance. It was carried on the jujube-blossom-scented wind, surging toward him with all the bright splendor of spring.
He held his breath instinctively. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his steps faltered for a moment.
Nan Zhi found him a bit strange.
"Is something wrong?"
Lu Shixu’s voice was a bit muffled:
"It smells nice."
Nan Zhi didn’t think much of it and glanced back.
"It must be the smell of the jujube blossoms."
As she turned, Lu Shixu noticed her still-damp hair and couldn’t help but soften his voice.
"Why didn’t you dry your hair? You only got out of the hospital a few days ago."
Nan Zhi didn’t answer the question, instead asking what he was here for.
Naturally, Lu Shixu had not come unprepared.
He knew that if he didn’t give her the right answer, she would most likely send him away.
So he said:
"It’s Saturday, and there’s a market in town. I heard you have a half-day off, so I thought you might like to take a look around."
Lu Shixu was right.
The moment Nan Zhi heard the word "market," her interest was piqued.
She considered it. If she didn’t go with Lu Shixu, she and Nan Yi would have to walk ten minutes to the village to ask for a ride to town, or else find the production crew’s car. It was all too much trouble.
So, there was no more convenient tool than Lu Shixu standing right in front of her.
"Wait a moment, I’ll go get a bag."
Nan Zhi took Nan Yi’s hand and walked toward the house.
Lu Shixu instinctively started to follow them, only to receive a harsh glare from Nan Yi, who had snuck a look back at him.
’This kid changes his tune so fast,’ Lu Shixu thought. ’He certainly didn’t have this attitude in the hospital a few days ago.’
Nan Zhi slowed her steps:
"What’s wrong, Yiyi?"
Nan Yi nonchalantly smoothed his expression.
"I saw that Uncle was about to follow us inside, so I was just going to tell him he could wait for us out here."
Lu Shixu was speechless.
’I wonder who he got this masterful act from,’ he thought.
He clicked his tongue internally, but his expression revealed nothing. He calmly told Nan Zhi:
"I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help you."
That made sense to Nan Zhi.
"Then you can come in."
Nan Zhi didn’t think there was anything strange about letting Lu Shixu into the house.
But to Lu Shixu, it was extraordinarily significant.
He completely ignored Nan Yi, who was baring his teeth fiercely, and stepped over the threshold in high spirits, taking in the room’s decor—
Nan Zhi had only lived here for less than a week, but she had already completely transformed this old house, inside and out.
Although she was usually very busy, she would always find time to embellish the house a bit and use her woodworking skills to make small items on the side.
Occasionally, Fu Chao and the others would also come to help clean up.
No one treated this as just Nan Zhi and Nan Yi’s temporary residence for two weeks. Instead, they were preparing it as if it were a long-term home.
The mottled, moldy walls had been scraped down and coated with fresh white paint, making the room look spotless and feel much brighter.
The walls were white and clean, but also a bit bare. So, Nan Zhi had found some hemp rope and hung wildflowers she’d picked from the roadside upside down to dry. They added a rustic, wild charm—a raw and natural beauty.
Nan Zhi also took advantage of the free evenings to hand-sew cushions for the sofa. The color was simple and elegant, instantly making the old wooden sofa look high-class.
On the tabletop was a small clay vase with a handful of wildflowers in it.
And all the kitchen utensils were neatly arranged on a wooden shelf that Nan Zhi had made herself.
The hanging lamp in the corner, once just a bare wire and bulb, now sported a woven bamboo lampshade Nan Zhi had made, instantly making it look a hundred times better.
...There were many, many similar changes.
In the few days she had lived here, Nan Zhi had already used her own hands to fill every nook and cranny of this house with her presence.
So, when Lu Shixu stepped inside, he felt as if he were getting a glimpse into her life through this powerful aura that was purely Nan Zhi. His blood stirred, and every nerve ending in his body seemed to erupt in a jubilant frenzy.
He was getting closer to her.
"Uncle, have a seat."
Although Nan Yi was annoyed that Lu Shixu had followed them inside, he had been taught by Nan Zhi and was no longer the clueless little kid he used to be.
A guest is a guest. As stubborn as Nan Yi was, he had to be polite. He not only invited Lu Shixu to sit but also poured him a cup of water himself.
Lu Shixu was a little surprised.
He was used to seeing the little Cub’s fierce, standoffish side, keeping everyone at arm’s length. He rarely saw him this sensible and well-behaved.
’It seems his mother taught him well.’
"Thank you."
Lu Shixu thanked him naturally and took a sip of the water.
As the warm water entered his mouth, Lu Shixu realized it wasn’t water, but tea.
It was an especially bitter tea, the kind of taste most people would find unpalatable.
Lu Shixu raised an eyebrow.
He drank the entire cup of tea without changing his expression, then met Nan Yi’s shocked gaze:
"Not bad at all."
Nan Yi’s eyes grew even wider!
Just then, Nan Zhi came out from the room with something, saw the teacup in Lu Shixu’s hand, and immediately understood Nan Yi’s mischievous little trick.
But she didn’t scold Nan Yi in front of Lu Shixu, instead explaining:
"This is a medicinal tea I brewed. It’s good for you."
"In that case, may I have another cup?"
Lu Shixu asked.